Donna Louise Ward, 75, of Cleveland, Okla., died July 23, 2023. Born February 24, 1948, in Tulsa, Okla., Donna was the daughter of Mary Leona Watts and Robert Parker Watts. Her family resided in Carbondale, Oklahoma until she was three, when they moved to Skiatook, Okla. before moving back to Tulsa, Okla. when she was six years old.
Donna attended Lowell Elementary through the fourth grade when her family moved to Berryhill, Okla. for one year. They then moved to Sperry, Okla. where she attended school until graduation where she was the Salutatorian.
Donna formed an early love for softball and basketball. Her softball team was very successful, winning the State Championship in 1964. She was also an All-Conference basketball player. Her other interests were cheerleading and writing for the school newspaper receiving an award for a feature article at Tulsa University press day.
It was her freshman year that she started dating a tall, talented basketball player named Ronald Ward. They dated on and off through high school and were engaged in her senior year. Following graduation Donna went to work at Loffland Brothers Drilling. Ron and Donna began their lives together on June 30, 1967. They moved to Norman, Okla. where Ron received a baseball scholarship at Oklahoma University. The next summer while living back in Sperry, they learned they were going to be blessed with their first son. Gregory was born January 23, 1969, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. After Greg was born, they moved to Tahlequah, Okla. where Ron graduated. He was soon coaching and teaching at Sperry High School. A year and a half later he was sent into training and active duty with the National Guard. Upon his return, while living in Sperry, they welcomed their second son Jason April 28, 1972.
Ron completed his master’s degree and was later hired at Owasso High School as a teacher and coach. After spending six wonderful years in Owasso forming lifelong friendships with the other coaches and their wives, they both received Christ as their Savior. Most of the coaches and their wives attended First Baptist Church and grew in their relationships with Christ and their friends.
In 1979, they decided to move to Cleveland, Okla. with Ron’s friend Ron Wolf. Donna worked at Osage Oil and eventually went to work at the middle school and then the high school. They felt blessed to raise their boys in Cleveland where they received a great education from excellent teachers and had the opportunity to excel in sports. Both sons were great basketball players, coached by their dad, both receiving baseball scholarships.
Donna’s favorite past times were reading, cooking, fishing, traveling, especially to Colorado and watching her sons, then her grandsons compete in athletics and perform in concerts where Levin excelled in playing guitar. She also enjoyed watching Valen and Sajin playing sports. Donna was also fortunate to see Taren graduate with a degree in engineering from Oklahoma State University as well as Jackson’s graduation from high school and pursuing his degree in communications.
Donna played a lot of tennis in her 20’s and 30’s and told Ron when he wanted to move to Cleveland, she wasn’t going anywhere until she saw a lighted tennis court. That passion was soon replaced by watching her sons play basketball and baseball.
In 1999, Ron retired from Oklahoma education and decided to move to Kansas to coach. After four years in Columbus the draw of grandkids took them back to Oklahoma. Donna and Ron returned to Cleveland in 2016 where they continued to reside.
Donna spent many years teaching Sunday School, attending Falls Creek as a cook and giving of herself and time to serving God. She also knew the most answers to Jeopardy.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and sister Sharon Maybee.
Donna is survived by her husband Ron of the home; sons Greg E. Ward (wife Tami), of Cleveland, Okla. and Jason Ward (wife Kelley) of Owasso, Okla. Her brother, David Watts (wife, Cindy), of and a sister Glena Holcomb, both of Sperry, Okla.; five grandsons, Jaren, Jackson, Levin, Valen and Sajin Ward along with a host of relatives and friends also survive.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, August 8 at 6 p.m. in the Western Heights Baptist Church at Cleveland, Okla.